Stay Clear of Fire Starters

Cooking is a common fire hazard during the winter months, and December is the peak time for year for home candle fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, 11% of home candle fires began with decorations compared to 4% the rest of the year. There are steps that can be taken to help reduce the risk of home fires. Below are some tips to help protect your family & home from holiday season fires.

Cooking Safety:

Always stay in the kitchen when cooking.

Keep oven mitts, dish towels and other flammable items away from open flames and heating elements.

Be sure to test your smoke detectors & change batteries yearly.

Candle Safety:

Never leave burning candles unattended in a room.

Keep candles out of reach of children.

Never burn candles near trees or curtains.

Place candles on stable surfaces.

Lights & Electrical Safety:

Plan your light display according to available circuits. Be sure not to overload circuit breakers.

Never exceed the maximum number of strings that may be linked together.

Carefully inspect your lights before you put them up. Lights frayed, broken or missing bulbs are a fire hazard.